Crawley cancer research centre plan approved

A cancer research centre in Manor Royal will ensure Crawley will play ‘a key part in the future of oncology’.

A proposal from Elekta Oncology to relocate to a new site off Fleming Way, Northgate, was approved by councillors on Monday (February 2).

The site, adjacent to Elekta’s current UK headquarters, will include two office buildings as well as a four and a half storey car park.

At Crawley Borough Council’s development control committee meeting, Rosemary French, executive director at the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, gave her backing to the proposal.

She said: “Crawley can’t afford to lose such a key business and granting approval will assure Elekta are here for the long term.”

Cllr Duncan Crow (Con, Furnace Green) was one of a number of councillors to show support for the application.

He said: “Elekta is very much the top of hi-tech industry. This development is obviously going to be a benefit to Manor Royal, Crawley and the wider sub-region.”

Cllr Ian Irvine (Lab, Broadfield North) said: “This will be a huge improvement - Crawley is a place people want to come to, stay in and invest in.”

Cllr Geraint Thomas (Lab, Northgate) suggested some of the car parking spaces could be used by the community such as users of a nearby mosque.

Gatwick Airport supported the application, councillors were told, and the development would not be affected by a second runway were it to be built.

The proposal was approved.

On its website, Elekta said: “Crawley has made a significant contribution to saving countless lives in the battle against cancer and that has brought growing recognition for Crawley from around the world.

“We are proud to be a key part of that history, but more importantly in keeping Crawley a key part of the future of oncology too.”